Martin in the 6 in '06

[LMITOUT]

Coming back for another year.

[fishinchicks]

That'll make my better half happy. Martin is his driver, and we've got tickets for the Daytona 500. Hubby can see him in person at least once more before he leaves Nextel.

[LMITOUT]

His sponsor will be AAA also.

[lawdog]

I have real mixed emotions about this. First I like Mark Martin and respect him as a driver. He is easily the best driver to never win a Cup. But, I hate it when guys do their big "salute to you" year or whatever and then come back. Quit or don't, but don't do this. Second, I really think it sucks if Rousch forced him into this. Mark is loyal to him and if he's abusing that loyalty because he screwed up on handling the McMurray/Busch fiascos than that sucks. I can't stand Rousch and I think he's handled all this really poorly. ON the other hand, like I said, he can drive and that 6 car is his, of course Rubberhead should still be in that 2 next year too... I don't like losing all the seasoned veterans like this.

[VMS]

Unfortunately Lawdog, from what my wife has read through her nascar newspaper is that is exactly what Jack did...laid a little guilt trip on Mark to stay since Jack could not get McMurray over due to Genassi holding him to his contract. It was all lined up that Mark was going to run a truck next year. She also read that some craftsman truck driver will be taking over the 6 after 06.

The truck series is looking better and better, though... we've been getting more and more cup drivers going there to race after cup because it is a lighter schedule and fun. A little more bumping and grinding, and now we are getting some more "well known" drivers there. Just think...Hamilton, spencer, Schrader here and there, Musgrave...

You know darn well that Genassi is holding McMurray to his contract since McMurray made a deal with Roush, and the same thing is happining with rubberneck going to penske. I bet they both end up staying put, which will allow genassi to find a suitable replacement....but I had not heard about the possibility of Rudd going there, nor about LaBonte leaving the 18...

What I find really interesting is that rubberneck has not ever vowed to doing any type of alcohol commercial (the first alcohol sponsor was originally supposed to go on the 97...but went to 17 instead because rubberneck would not agree to do commercials for it..I don't remember the alcohol company...then again, how did they get him to deal with crown royal?), so...why would he go to a race team that has a beer company as it's primary sponsor? Will he begin to do commercials or do you think he managed to deal that out of his contract?

Wierd...as it always is...

Steve

[JohnMickish]

So the guy won't do an alcohol commercial, big deal. The Petty's don't carry the Bud Pole sticker so they are not elligable for the Busch clash. (is it still called that?) How many non smokers do you think have driven cars sponsored by the tobbaco comanies? I don't recall seeing Jr. in any beer commercials, or Rusty or Sterling. I don't see Sadler in the M&M commercials, does that mean he dosen't like candy?

Yes, Martin was pressured into staying but that is HIS car, and I'm sure there was no way it was going to be parked for a year. There are numbers that will always be associated with drivers, and I'm sure he didn't want to see it do bad.

[VMS]

Hmmm....so who is the guy that takes the horses out for a spin, gets off, and says "it's a little tight in the turns, but Man...What a ride!"? :-)

I would agree, you don't see rusty doing commercials either..but Rubberneck was adamant previously about not dirving a car sponsored by an alcoholic beverage...

Steve

[JohnMickish]

Your right, I forgot about that one. Wouldn't you think that if you where the company spending that kind of money you would push it a little more. Not just the beer guys, but all of them. UPS is about the only company that really promotes it's driver and car. Home Depot does during the races but that's about it. I would have thought Dewalt or Rubbermaid would have pushed the heck out of winning the cup, but they didn't. Just my thoughts.

[VMS]

Your spot on with that...And at least the UPS commercials are pretty good too.. They could do a bunch more with commercials outside of the race which would not only promote the product, but the sport as well..

Steve

[spearchucker]

Quote:

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I would agree, you don't see rusty doing commercials either..but Rubberneck was adamant previously about not dirving a car sponsored by an alcoholic beverage...

Steve

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I think this was probably because he wasn't 21 when he first started racing.